Irish actor Colin Farrell has movingly detailed the choice to place his 21-year-old son in long-term care. The Dublin native opened up on the journey that first saw his son James incorrectly diagnosed with cerebral palsy before it was understood he actually has Angelman syndrome. This rare condition which significantly affects the nervous system and brings about profound learning disabilities required careful consideration for James, who is nonverbal. Oscar nominee Colin made this careful decision with his ex-partner Kim Bordenave, aiming to secure optimal care for their son. The 48-year-old actor shared his personal concerns about what might become of James should something happen to him or Kim. "It's tricky, some parents will say 'I want to take care of my child myself' and I respect that," commented Colin. "But my horror would be... What if I have a heart attack tomorrow, and, God forbid, James' mother, Kim, has a car crash and she's taken too – and then James is on his own?". Speaking openly in an interview with Candis Magazine, The Batman star underscored the critical nature of ensuring a care plan is in place: "Then he's a ward of the state and he goes where? We'd have no say in it." What is Angelman syndrome? Angelman syndrome remains a rare genetic disorder that presents considerable challenges to the nervous system along with severe developmental delays. Despite these difficulties, individuals with Angelman syndrome typically can live a near-normal lifespan, but they will always need comprehensive support, reports the Mirror. The HSE website state: "A child with Angelman syndrome will begin to show signs of delayed development at around 6 to 12 months of age, such as being unable to sit unsupported or make babbling noises. "Some may never speak or may only be able to say a few words. But most children and adults with Angelman syndrome will be able to communicate using gestures, signs or other systems. "The movement of a child with Angelman syndrome will also be affected. They may have difficulty walking because of issues with balance and coordination (ataxia). Their arms may tremble or make jerky movements, and their legs may be stiff." It's also highlighted by the HSE that in the majority of Angelman syndrome cases, the parents of the affected child do not have the condition themselves and the genetic mutation responsible for the syndrome occurs randomly around the time of conception. "Angelman syndrome usually happens when the gene known as UBE3A is either missing or has changed. This can happen during conception." states the HSE website. "Sometimes the cause of Angelman syndrome is unknown. When this happens children may have different conditions involving other genes or chromosomes." What has Colin Farrell said about his son's health battle? Colin and James' mother Kim are currently actively seeking a suitable facility for their son to ensure that they can maintain involvement in his life by visiting and spending quality time with him while they are still healthy enough to do so. Colin previously opened up about the anguish his family suffered due to his son's misdiagnosis, recounting the emotionally charged path to discovering his child had a rare disorder. In an emotional chat with PEOPLE Magazine, Colin revealed: "We want him to find somewhere where he can have a full and happy life, where he feels connected." Colin delved into the ordeal of James' incorrect initial diagnosis last summer, clarifying that due to shared symptoms, the condition is often mistaken for cerebral palsy. He detailed those trying times, recalling: "[James] couldn't sit up. He wasn't crawling. I think he was a year and a half when we took him to get really checked out, and he was diagnosed as having cerebral palsy." The Banshees of Inisherin actor elaborated on this journey, noting the misdiagnosis was a "common" error, adding: "It was a common misdiagnosis, because it shared a lot of the same characteristics. And that was a downer for sure." However, it wasn't until James was two-and-a-half years old that a paediatric neurologist recommended tests for Angelman syndrome, which brought about the correct diagnosis. Colin then recalled the two pivotal questions he presented to the physicians: "I remember the first two questions I asked were, 'What's the life expectancy and how much pain is involved?'," alongside the comforting answer he received: "And the doctor said, 'Life expectancy, as far as we can tell, is the same for you and for me, and pain, no'." Last year, the Irish actor took a significant step and launched the Colin Farrell Foundation to support adult children with intellectual disabilities. At the foundation's inauguration, he shed light on a difficult truth, acknowledging that after his son James turns 21, he will be "kind of on his own" as the protections for younger disabled individuals cease. He revealed that the idea for the foundation had lingered in his mind for some time, but the time felt right to make it a reality. Opening up about his choice to speak out on James' condition, Colin recalled a pivotal moment at the Special Olympics in Shanghai back in 2007. After discussions with James' mother, he resolved to publicly share his immense pride and joy for their son. "He has enriched my life, but I don't want to minimise the trials that so many families go through; the fear, consternation, frustration, and pain... When you're the parent of a child with special needs, it's important to feel that you're not alone." Reflecting on the journey during an InStyle interview in 2012, he remarked: "We share in the smallest victories; the first words at age six or seven, being able to feed oneself at 19, and getting the seizures under control. When James took his first steps at age four, I nearly broke in half!". Previously, in 2021, Colin had taken legal action along with his ex Kim to secure conservatorship for James, thus allowing them to oversee his personal care and medical decisions. They requested the court to give them the power to make decisions about his education, manage his social and sexual relationships. This includes deciding whether he can marry – access confidential records, and approve or deny permission for medical procedures. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.